KSM’s Relief Efforts in Grand Bahama Post Hurricane Dorian

Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas as a Category 5 tropical cyclone with life-threatening winds, heavy rain and dangerous flooding, bringing extensive damage to the northwestern islands Abaco and Grand Bahama. It was the most powerful storm to strike the Bahamas in almost a century and severely affected residents of Grand Bahama including many KSM Employees. In the aftermath of the storm, it soon became clear that there was an urgent need to render immediate assistance to the community.

The KSM team provided direct relief on the ground in Grand Bahama distributing supplies and providing aid to employees affected by the devastation. Relief supplies included water, portable generators, baby products, medical supplies, feminine and hygiene products, were shipped to Freeport immediately after the port reopened. “That’s where our fleet and people came in,” says Rick Groen, director of KSM, “having direct access to boats it is the least we can do.” Crewmembers and the management team of KSM also banded together in unity in the wake of hurricane Dorian to assist each other in clean-up efforts removing debris from damaged and destroyed homes and searching for displaced family members.
KSM remains committed to assisting the community as much as possible. A Hurricane Relief Assistance Plan has been put into effect to further help employees and their families with more long term recovery efforts. Additionally, in partnership with our client Buckeye Bahamas Hub, a reverse osmosis fresh water maker was installed at the Buckeye terminal providing 5,000 gals/day to make potable water available for all its employees and facilities. “We understand this will not take away all the harm that has been done, but hopefully this will at least add value to their ongoing recovery efforts,” says Rick Groen of KSM, “just like so many other organisations, individuals and the international community we will assist wherever possible to help our community.”